Updated Finals MVP Odds – Devin Booker Moves to Betting Favorite
- Devin Booker now the betting favorite to win NBA Finals MVP
- 2022 NBA MVP favorite Joel Embiid currently at +8000 odds
- See below for updated Finals MVP odds and our betting prediction
After play on Tuesday, every series in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs has now crossed two games.
And with that, a new Finals MVP has emerged: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.
His play has helped crumple the Dallas Mavericks and stake the Suns to a 2-0 series lead, even with Luka Doncic averaging 40 points in the two losses.
Over in the East, the top-seeded Miami Heat are up 2-0 on the Philadelphia 76ers, with Jimmy Butler sitting with +600 odds, tied in third spot with Booker’s teammate Chris Paul.
Let’s look at the latest Finals MVP odds, and sort out the bets you should be targeting.
2022 NBA Finals MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Devin Booker | +460 |
| Steph Curry | +500 |
| Chris Paul | +600 |
| Jimmy Butler | +600 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +750 |
| Jayson Tatum | +750 |
| Jaylen Brown | +2100 |
| Ja Morant | +2200 |
| Bam Adebayo | +3000 |
| Jordan Poole | +3300 |
Odds as of May 4 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Booker Rising With Suns
At the start of Round 2, Devin Booker was sitting at +750 odds at FanDuel, but those numbers have shortened to +460. Book looks like he’s over that hamstring injury that forced him to miss games in the Pelicans series.
One. Two. Three.
Devin Booker is on a scoring spree. pic.twitter.com/VGoIjrTwPP
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) May 5, 2022
On Tuesday night against the Mavericks, after putting up just nine first half points, he erupted for 21 in the second half for a team-high 30. He did a lot of damage behind the arc, drilling 5-for-8 from downtown.
4th quarter CP3 ACTIVATED!
Chris Paul has 14 points (6/7 FGM) in Q4 alone 🔆#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/aFMw3vnntz
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2022
Just a few notches below is backcourt mate Paul (+600), who is earning the reputation of Mr. Fourth Quarter in these playoffs. CP3 scored or assisted on Phoenix’s first 19 points in the final frame in Game 2, turning a close game into a 20-point blowout.
Paul and Booker have helped the Suns to shoot better than 50% in seven straight games.
Butler has been the clear offensive catalyst for the Heat. With Kyle Lowry missing the last four games, Miami has not skipped a beat. Jimmy Buckets starred again Tuesday, scoring 22 points, while adding 12 dimes and six rebounds.
Jimmy Butler's ball fakes are *chefs kiss*#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on TNT pic.twitter.com/zNmHSpgVIB
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2022
He’s missed one game these playoffs with knee inflammation, but in the six games he has played, Butler is averaging 26.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 50.9% from the field.
Other Value Wagers
Sitting alone in the 5-spot is Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo (+750), who, despite being hounded by a legit-stellar Celtics defense, is still stacking up stats.
GIANNIS pic.twitter.com/KeQO8TD7HO
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) May 1, 2022
One of the top choices in the 2022 NBA MVP odds, Giannis is averaging 26 points, 11 rebounds and 9.5 assists against Boston, though he’s only shooting 38.4% from the field.
He’s going toe-to-toe with Jayson Tatum (+750), meaning that one of the top-6 favorites to win Finals MVP will be guaranteed out by the start of the conference finals.
There’s one candidate outside the top 10 you have to consider. While the Sixers are reeling, their centerpiece should be back in Game 3 of their series with the Heat.
Sources tell me Joel Embiid is progressing well and there is real hope for Friday night
Joel would be playing through pain with orbital fracture and torn ligament in his thumb
No one can ever question Joel’s toughness pic.twitter.com/9I0z5OS7DY
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 4, 2022
Joel Embiid is dealing with a fractured orbital bone and mild concussion, suffered in the Round 1 series clincher with the Raptors. This on top of a torn ligament in his thumb that he already was playing through.
Embiid, the likely regular season MVP winner, is one of just a handful of players that can swing a series all by himself. He sits at +8000 odds.
Best Finals MVP Bet
We should mention that Steph Curry started Round 2 as the favorite at +440 odds — and as low as +300 at Caesars Sportsbook — and he’s now looking up at Booker, in second at +500.
Curry could still very well claim his first-ever Finals MVP award, but with still no clear-cut NBA Finals pick, there’s just too much value further down the board to stay right at the top.
Whatever the Warriors need, Steph Curry will deliver 🙌pic.twitter.com/dsFe9qls7x
— Warriors Nation (@WarriorNationCP) May 4, 2022
Embiid is definitely the most intriguing bet, and if he returns with a vengeance, and can help the Sixers hold home court, you won’t see his odds at this figure the rest of the playoffs.
For my money, however, I’d choose between the winner of the Bucks-Celtics series. Along with Miami, you’re looking at the top three defenses currently going in the playoffs, which always helps with an extended playoff run.
I’m leaning on the reigning Finals MVP to get it done again.
The pick: Antetokounmpo (+750)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 INSTANTLY & A NO SWEAT NBA SGP EVERY DAY!
- FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 GUARANTEED!
- BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS!
- CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,000 BACK - ON CAESARS!
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
